Every year the question gets posed about the game’s most pivotal position and each year Jim Popp gets asked what would football life be without Anthony Calvillo.

Eventually, Calvillo will call it a day, his place in the CFL’s Hall of Fame already assured.

Eventually, someone not known as A.C. will be lining up under centre and running Montreal’s offence.

Until that day arrives, Popp does not know what the Als have at quarterback when Calvillo hangs up his cleats for good.

Popp has been the model of CFL general managers for thinking outside of the box, for finding those proverbial diamonds in the rough and developing them into league all-stars and superstars.

A few years back, Popp’s plan was to find an heir apparent to Tracy Ham.

But whether it was Ham or Calvillo, who is now 41 years old, there is always this unknown.

“You just don’t know what you have until the other guy starts playing,” Popp said during a conference call on Friday. “You just try to have a plan every year.”

And every year Calvillo defies whatever obstacle gets thrown at him to help the Als win and remain relevant.

For the second straight year, the Als came up short last post-season at home, this time falling to the eventual Grey Cup champion Argos in the East final.

A year earlier, it was Hamilton that emerged victorious in the semifinal.

In each game, Calvillo wasn’t at his best, but he gave the Als a chance.

Against the Ticats, Brandon Whitaker dropped a ball in the flat that would have extended the chains in overtime.

Against the Argos, Brandon London dropped a touchdown reception in the back of the end zone.

Adrian McPherson is no longer with the Als.

Quinton Porter started in Hamilton and certainly has the experience to fill in if Calvillo, who played with a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder last year that required surgery, struggles or is forced to miss games because of injuries.

Josh Neiswander is an intriguing prospect with a high football I.Q., a quarterback whom Popp said took plenty of reps at the team’s mini camp.

Kyle Quinlon isn’t some token Canadian, but rather a prospect Popp says can throw a deep corner route much like Ricky Ray.

And while much was made of Tim Tebow, whose CFL rights are owned by the Als, there’s nothing to update, according to Popp, no reason to start printing jerseys when no dialogue has ever been initiated with Tebow or his representatives.

As always, Popp has been among the most active CFL executives this off-season, his biggest decision involved Dan Hawkins succeeding Marc Trestman, who took his coaching act to the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

Popp, more than anyone, has developed a football culture in Montreal that is second to none in three-down football.

Hawkins is bringing his philosophy, but is smart enough to not get in Calvillo’s way.

While Hawkins has never coached at the pro level, the staff he has assembled has close to 300 years of football experience.

There’s also history on Hawkins’ side.

Since the return of the Als to Montreal in 1996, first-year head coaches have always flourished, in part because of Popp and the foundation he has established.

“Excellence with class,” said Hawkins when asked to describe his coaching style in three words.

Hawkins has the opportunity to succeed because the talent level Popp develops is always among the best in the league.

How Hawkins reacts to the CFL’s nuances and pace of play are issues that can't be answered until games of significance are played.

For now, his enthusiasm will be welcomed by the team’s veteran core.

“Blessed are the flexible because they will never be bent out of shape,” Hawkins said.

ARGOS' TOP PICK STAYS IN SCHOOL

The Toronto Argonauts are going to have to wait a little longer for Matt Sewell.

The McMaster University offensive lineman and first- round selection (eighth overall) of the Argos has a one-time only opportunity to return to McMaster and take advantage of an accelerated MBA degree at the DeGroote Business School.

“When we drafted Matt, we didn’t expect him to report to our training camp this season but we will continue to keep him in our team’s long-term plans,” Argos GM Jim Barker said.

The 6-foot-8, 335-pound Milton, Ont., native sees it as an opportunity he couldn’t ignore.

“The prospect of completing a Masters degree in the next eight months so that I can then focus all of my efforts on my future as a professional football player was too good to pass up,” Sewell said in a released statement.

“I want to thank Jim Barker and the Argonauts organization for supporting me in this decision, and I look forward to reporting to training camp in 2014.”

It won’t be all books and no play for Sewell, however, in 2013. The Hec Crighton runner-up in 2012 will use his fifth and final year of CIS eligibility for one more season with the Marauders.